Looking for a Marcel Proust quote in the original French. [more inside]
posted by 1f2frfbf on Oct 23, 2009 - 3 answers

Having recently learned that Fritz Lang filmed an entirely different, French language, version of The Testament of Doctor Mabuse alongside the 'original' German version, I set out to find it. The only way to get hold of it seems to be via the Criterion DVD, but this is a Region 1 (NTSC) release only. Where else can I get a copy of the alternate Mabuse? Preferably as either a download or as a Region 2 (PAL) release [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Oct 22, 2009 - 6 answers

I find that French red wine has a very distinctive body and aftertaste. Is this truly specific to French wine, or have I not found some equivalents elsewhere in the world? [more inside]
posted by fantasticninety on Oct 19, 2009 - 12 answers

Help me learn to read French. [more inside]
posted by tdismukes on Oct 11, 2009 - 19 answers

French translation question: "little monkey head"? [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown on Oct 10, 2009 - 5 answers

Does anyone here on ask mefi have experience with the teaching assistants program in France? I'm seriously considering applying. Or for that matter, does anyone have thoughts or experiences with other programs in France teaching English to French folk? [more inside]
posted by Rocket26 on Oct 8, 2009 - 6 answers

Recommend some French-language books (or sites) for a intermediate French-learner, to (hopefully enjoy) reading with the aid of a dictionary and bescherelle. [more inside]
posted by Kurichina on Oct 6, 2009 - 16 answers

What are some French music artists in the vein of Tryo, Vincent Delerm, Grand Corps Malade, Ogres de Barback and Benabar? [more inside]
posted by fantasticninety on Oct 4, 2009 - 3 answers

Help me find a pop french song, I only remember little bits from its music video (more inside). [more inside]
posted by jgwong on Oct 3, 2009 - 0 answers

How would I write “Peanut Butter Cups” in French? [more inside]
posted by hydrophonic on Oct 2, 2009 - 15 answers

We're looking for activities/places/things not to miss in the northern French Alps this weekend. [more inside]
posted by swhitt on Sep 24, 2009 - 1 answer

You live at Versailles in 1658. You're nobility of the blood. You know the King. What drugs, drinks, or other ways of getting totally fucked up are available to you? How often could you partake before people started to Have A Problem with it? [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Sep 20, 2009 - 21 answers

Le filter français - what do these lines from Noël Coward's "Private Lives" mean? [more inside]
posted by starvingartist on Sep 10, 2009 - 4 answers

Verb conjugation tester for OSX? [more inside]
posted by djgh on Sep 10, 2009 - 3 answers

I looked up the etymology of parole in An etymological dictionary of the Romance languages, and was intrigued by this: "It took the place of the L. verbum which, from religious scruples, was sparingly used" (emphasis mine). What "religious scruples" are they alluding to? No elaboration is given in that entry. I realize that verbum means "word", and shares a stem with lots of other meanings, but I would love to know if anyone knows more.
posted by everichon on Sep 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Does subliminal learning work? I'm at an intermediate level of french but since I'm leaving for France in a month I want to speed up the process a bit. I already do a lot of work (listening to RFI while I work, speaking whenever possible etc) but I figure if listening to podcasts while I sleep would help too then why not? [more inside]
posted by minicloud on Aug 31, 2009 - 18 answers

Is any French TV actually any good? [more inside]
posted by handee on Aug 26, 2009 - 21 answers

French teacher looking for new stuff for the coming school year! Music, music videos etc. suitable for K-3. It's my third year and I have used a lot of my good stuff already. Hit me with your best kiddie French stuff! [more inside]
posted by JoannaC on Aug 25, 2009 - 5 answers

What cooking secrets take your food to the almost-pro level? [more inside]
posted by chalbe on Aug 24, 2009 - 134 answers

What's the literal translation of the French film title "S'en fout la mort"? [more inside]
posted by Awkward Philip on Aug 17, 2009 - 12 answers

At Henry Allingham's funeral, what branch of the services did the French bugler or trumpet player represent, and what piece did he play? [more inside]
posted by vogel on Aug 17, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm restarting my Netflix queue, and I can't remember the name of a movie I'd like to see again. A car speeds through a small town on the French coast, hits a small child and drives away before anyone can see what happened. [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Aug 16, 2009 - 10 answers

What's some good, danceable French indie pop/electro? [more inside]
posted by decoherence on Aug 15, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm looking for French-language versions of well-known English-language pop songs. Any genre or era. (Bonus points for French versions of the New Wave songs from my youth...) My wife and I are learning French together, and I think this would be a fun way to add some color to that process.
posted by jdroth on Aug 3, 2009 - 32 answers

Where can I find estimates of Europe's population size, as far back in time as possible? [more inside]
posted by Coventry on Aug 1, 2009 - 8 answers

How to read this date written in French? [more inside]
posted by rom1 on Jul 29, 2009 - 14 answers

Did French women really used to walk differently? [more inside]
posted by fantasticninety on Jul 28, 2009 - 12 answers

Can someone help translate a poem from French to English? [more inside]
posted by twirlypen on Jul 25, 2009 - 18 answers

The French way to say the verb "tuned" as in a piano or a chorus? [more inside]
posted by Gucky on Jul 20, 2009 - 8 answers

I'm trying to learn French. I'm in France, which is a great start. I find I can just about manage with Tin Tin books so reckon that comics (BDs for the more francophone amongst you) or children's fiction will be a good way to relax whilst getting extra practice. Can you recommend some comics or kids books that are in French and not overly complicated linguistically? (I have tried Asterix, but the puns just fly past my confused brain).
posted by handee on Jul 15, 2009 - 26 answers

I live and work in France, but I almost never read for pleasure in French. Help me find enjoyable contemporary French language fiction, please. [more inside]
posted by cimton on Jul 15, 2009 - 8 answers

"Umbrellas of Cherbourg" French actress Ellen Farner, M.I.A. [more inside]
posted by holdenjordahl on Jul 9, 2009 - 5 answers

Anybody familiar with a series of trilingual Vietnamese folk storybooks that were written in Vietnamese, English & French? I'm searching.. [more inside]
posted by handabear on Jul 9, 2009 - 0 answers

I'm a student who is in the process of teaching herself French. As much as I would love to take the French I course through my university, the course conflicts with a class I am taking Fall semester for my major. What I need? Practice. [more inside]
posted by thatbrunette on Jul 8, 2009 - 16 answers

What was the name of this short art film about a guy getting trapped in a bathroom? [more inside]
posted by flod logic on Jun 29, 2009 - 1 answer

What are your experiences learning French with Rosetta Stone? Did supplementing learning with regular usage help you think the language as well as speak it? [more inside]
posted by nj_subgenius on Jun 28, 2009 - 7 answers

What are some French language TV shows I can watch for free online that will help me improve my French? I'm looking for shows at different levels (maybe kids shows for when I'm watching while working and then talk shows or sitcoms for when I can pay more attention.) [more inside]
posted by minicloud on Jun 18, 2009 - 11 answers

I want the best dam french toast recipe this side of the mississip'! [more inside]
posted by chicago2penn on Jun 16, 2009 - 40 answers

I have a gig coming up, and I need FRENCH SONG suggestions. Simple, classic, famous, even cliche (cheesy) French songs are what I'm looking for. "Je T'aime", etc. [more inside]
posted by chuckdarwin on Jun 15, 2009 - 42 answers

Grad school language requirement filter: which French philosophers are (relatively) easy reading in the original French? [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Jun 15, 2009 - 9 answers

Why are there so many French internet radio stations? On iTunes, they seem vastly disproportionate. Is there a legal reason, a historical reason, or something else?
posted by Bugbread on Jun 9, 2009 - 8 answers

please translate some French for me: nous n'irons au bois les lauriers sont / ne sont pas coupes. [more inside]
posted by Jason and Laszlo on Jun 4, 2009 - 22 answers

This is a shot in the dark, but maybe you well-read, politically minded people can help: I am trying to track down a short commentary I remember reading around election day 2008. It was written in a French newspaper, I believe, and it was a short piece, but the basic gist was: "Today we are one with america. that may change later, but today we're one" re: the Obama win. I feel like I saw it linked in Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish, but couldn't find it in the archives. I was voraciously reading so many sites at the time that I have no idea where it actually was. It was just a beautiful piece and I would like to read it again and keep it around. If it rings a bell with someone, that would be great!
posted by knmr76 on Jun 3, 2009 - 2 answers

I'm looking for a specific edition of a film of Ubu Roi. [more inside]
posted by scubbadubba on Jun 1, 2009 - 2 answers

Is there a quebecois on line who would be willing to speak via Skype in order for me to get used to the Quebecois accent before I go on a field trip? [more inside]
posted by fantasticninety on May 28, 2009 - 6 answers

Desire Paths / Lines: a term apparently coined by Gaston Bachelard in The Poetics of Space. What was the original French he used? and are there any other terms for the act and outcome of paths that emerge through routine, reflexion and the feedback of movement. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on May 25, 2009 - 1 answer

What French-language comics would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Grinder on May 22, 2009 - 27 answers

What are some universities which teach in French that a student from the U.S. should consider? (Especially in Quebec.) [more inside]
posted by non-kneebiter on May 19, 2009 - 6 answers

Good free French-English dictionary online? [more inside]
posted by Electrius on May 11, 2009 - 6 answers

Where can i find the case for a French Prayer Clock? [more inside]
posted by Carsey on May 10, 2009 - 0 answers